Missions not Goals

SHOW NOTES

It’s the first episode of 2025! And I have the absolute honor of chatting with Robin Hamilton, documentary filmmaker and genuinely delightful, wonderful, amazing person. She’s sharing her story and her process, and you are going to be absolutely inspired. But stick around for the NOTE AT THE END, and I’ll talk your ear off about what 2024 taught me, and how I”m ditching “goals” for a mission.

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Show links:

• Around Robin Production - https://www.aroundrobin.com

• My Substack post, “Wiggling Toes” - https://kevintumlinson.substack.com/p/wiggling-toes

More for you from J. Kevin Tumlinson

• Writers! Tune in to the Writers, Ink Podcast for great interviews and writing wisdom: https://writersinkpodcast.com

• The Wordslinger Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/wordslingerpodcast

• Visit WordslingerPodcast.com

Got a topic or question for the show? Want to AKA (Ask Kevin ANYTHING?) Send it to me at kevintumlinson.com/contact

Follow me online:

• Buy my books at kevintumlinson.com/books

• Read me on Substack: kevintumlinson.substack.com

• See me: youtube.com/kevintumlinson

• X me out: x.com/kevintumlinson (@kevintumlinson)

• Face me: facebook.com/kevintumlinson

• Link me: linkedin.com/in/kevintumlinson

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Flexible Reading and Writing Goals:

• Importance of understanding the purpose behind goals rather than focusing on numbers.

• Suggestion to form daily habits without specific numeric targets to reduce pressure.

• Enjoying activities like writing beyond achieving specific word counts.

• Preference for a writing routine aligned with a broader mission.

• Removing numerical pressure often leads to exceeding previous targets.

• Personal intention and progress should guide one’s approach, not competition with others.

• Kevin Tumlinson's career shift and personal challenges adapted through strategy.

Podcast Focus and New Year Reflections:

• Focus on storytelling, branding, writing, and personal redefinition.

• Excitement for the new year, inviting listener reflections on 2024 and plans for 2025.

Interview with Robin Hamilton:

• Robin's background in documentary filmmaking and media.

• Transition from journalism to documentaries due to unfulfilled interests.

• Starting a production company and learning about business management.

• Discussion of storytelling, inspiration, and technical documentary creation.

• Journey of creating a notable film about an admired historical woman.

Documentary Funding and Production:

• Small grants and collaboration for project funding.

• Filming a project as a love letter to a woman's legacy.

• Success in film festivals and airing on PBS.

• Breaking projects into smaller tasks for manageability.

• Finding grant resources and importance of organization in grant-writing.

Career Reflections and Future Plans:

• Experiences with grant rejections and perseverance.

• Unexpected success with FBI photos for a documentary.

• Robin's film on Odessa Madre and unexpected career paths.

• Plans to transform the Odessa film or explore podcast format.

• Democratization of content creation through platforms like YouTube.

Business Model and Challenges:

• Balancing client work, fundraising, and grant applications.

• Importance of recurring clients to maintain steady income.

• Use of independent contractors for flexibility.

• Kevin Tumlinson's experiences and challenges in TV and administrative tasks.

Business Planning and Client Focus:

• Business plan as a flexible guide for metrics and goals.

• Emphasis on mission, core values, and client focus.

• Success in nonprofit sector due to referral.

• Importance of technology in lowering creative project barriers.

Handling Personal and Financial Challenges:

• Kevin's financial difficulties leading to depression.

• Personal growth and transformation through therapy and self-realization.

• Emphasis on intention and personal evolution.

Entrepreneurship and Storytelling:

• Entrepreneurship as storytelling.

• Storytelling focus for 2025.

• Use of a planner for ideas and alternative to traditional goal setting.

• Insights from "The Courage to be Disliked" and impact of expectations.

Writing Goals and Personal Mission:

• High expectations leading to pressure and disappointment.

• Preference for life mission over vague goals.

• Encouragement to develop an ideal self as an ongoing mission.